Influx

While we are dazzled by the new technological options available to us and the last weekend we’ve all been deluged by iPad news, it’s very easy to forget that stories lie at the heart of everything.

The iPad will succeed or fail based on the ability of content creators to tell stories using the device. The questions everyone needs to ask who is developing for the device should revolve around how the device and the 27 others like it, provide storytellers with better ways to tell their tales. Get lost in the technology and you will miss the point.

Significant Objects is one project that puts the story front and center and demonstrates how value can be created through narrative. By getting writers to tell stories about everyday objects found on eBay- the project is raising money for a worthy cause.

Over in the land of the start-up, Chris Dixon of Hunch suggests story-telling is the main thing start-ups need to convince VCs to fund them. While many assume that metrics are the thing, Dixon believes VCs already know these, but need to be seduced by a story.

Storytelling is the oldest of human skills, but it’s never been more relevant. Perhaps everyone needs a refresher course on the golden rules of story telling. As we all gain the technological ability to tell our own stories, perhaps there’s a gap that could be filled by some smart educational brands and new entities, to teach. Maybe this could be a role taken on by journalists, photographers and film-makers.

Could they find new energy and a new revenue path by teaching the world how to tell stories? If they could, we wouldn’t need Sigificant Objects to tell stories about objects, we could tell the stories ourselves and perhaps they would be better because they would personal, real and importantly, true.

Posted by Ed Cotton